12v Aux Output

How's the best way to wire up a 12v aux. output (cigarette lighter, but without the heating element)? I'd like to be able to charge my iPod and cell phone on long rides (while the engine is running)

My thoughts would be to wire it directly to the battery terminals, since the battery acts like a voltage sink of sorts.

Anyone do it any other way? I don't mind if the phone/iPod would need to remain under the seat to be charged, I should be able to run a headphone extension out from underneath the seat.

Thanks in advance!

Which bike? I know on the Kz1000's/Kz1100's there is a set of fused wires for items like heated vests or gloves. They should be marked on your bikes wiring diagram as aux circuits or something like it.

'76 KZ900A4

Some KZ's had an aux output (spade-connector), but looking at your wiring diagram, it doesn't look like yours has it.

Wiring it to the battery should be fine. Make sure you get one with an inline fuse holder, and make sure no bare wiring can touch anything.

Also, obviously, leaving something charging permanently will kill the battery eventually. You just have to remember to unplug it when you are not running.

loudhvx wrote:
Also, obviously, leaving something charging permanently will kill the battery eventually. You just have to remember to unplug it when you are not running.

Remember, this means unplug the charger too, not just the phone.

Yep. I can leave the charger wired in though, correct? I'd just have to remove the 12v "cigarette charger" plug.

i saw a 750cc tripple at the bike night last week. he had the wire come right up to the bars, and a holder for his ipod on the bars.

mark1122 wrote: i saw a 750cc tripple at the bike night last week. he had the wire come right up to the bars, and a hold for his ipod on the bars.

Haha. That's an anachronism if I've ever seen an anachronism.

mtbspeedfreak wrote:

mark1122 wrote: i saw a 750cc tripple at the bike night last week. he had the wire come right up to the bars, and a hold for his ipod on the bars.

Haha. That's an anachronism if I've ever seen an anachronism.

yea but we gotta keep up with the times. lol

You have to be careful to not overload the charging system. The Z1/KZ900 charging system is boardline if you are running with lights on all the time. Even 5w-10w additional draw can be a problem where you run the battery down.

To determine the right fuse, I'll have to look at my chargers (in milliamps). Since I don't want it drawing more than 5 amps, I can stick a 5 amp fuse in (which will be overkill, the chargers will not draw more than 5 amps, if they did, I'd draw the battery down, I know )- is this the correct logic?

(Thanks, I'm not all that familiar with electronics at this point.... getting there with your help!)